When I was about twelve, I went on a trip with my youth group to West Virginia. Our big adventure was to go white water rafting. I was both excited and a little scared. Especially when we were being given instructions, they started talking about the water snakes. Oh my goodness, Lord please be with me. We headed out on the rafts and I was still a little nervous, also a little excited. Before long we hit some rapids and our raft started to move all over the place. Suddenly, all around us people were falling out of their rafts and into the river. I prayed so hard that God would not let me fall out, that I would remain safe in the raft. Then it happened, our raft started to tip and my friends began falling out. I held on tight, God, please don’t let me fall out. I was the only one who didn’t. The only one that remained sitting in the raft. Everyone that fell out was completely fine. They all eventually got back in, we finished our adventure, and overall, it was a fun trip. Although God knew how scared I would have been to fall out. So, He answered my prayer, and kept me being and feeling safe. God hears us and He cares. If I would have fallen out of the raft, we all had life jackets on and I very well, like everyone else, likely would have been fine. Though God knew how scared I was, so instead He gave me that security, answered my prayer, and kept me in the raft. Not only was I incredibly grateful that He did, but it showed me as a young girl, that God does answer prayers. We can go to God about anything and everything and He does hear us, He does care, and He does answer prayers! So, friend if there is anything that is troubling your heart, go to God in prayer. He does answer in His way, in His will, in His time, and always for our good. I remember the trip, though not every detail. But what I do remember the most is how He answered my prayer, as I sat in the raft, in my little life jacket, feeling safe and protected by God, who heard my prayer.

Erin Fitts-Brower

God hears our prayers

Psalm 66:19 NIV

but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.